Fall fishing opportunities plentiful in the Natural StateAs we all know Arkansas is a sportsman’s paradise and there is no better evidence of this than in the fall season of the year. Hunting and fishing opportunities are more than plentiful causing many outdoor enthusiasts to make some tough decisions. This year will be no different as it is shaping up to be a nice fall with the abundance of rain and cooler temperatures that we have had. In previous columns I have highlighted all of the upcoming hu...

NFL increases penalties for domestic violenceNEW YORK (AP) — NFL players will be subject to a six-week suspension for a first domestic violence offense and banishment from the league for a second under a new policy outlined by Commissioner Roger Goodell. In a letter and memo sent to all 32 teams owners Thursday, and obtained by The Associated Press, Goodell says he "didn't get it right" in giving Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice a two-game suspension for allegedly hitting the woman...

High School Football Podcast E:1Welcome to the first ever episode of Sports Watch, a podcast brought to you by The Courier. In this episode Mickey DuVall and Travis Simpson discuss various topics concerning the Russellville Cyclones and the upcoming football season, the Pottsville Apaches and the contact rules recently set by the Arkansas Activities Association. Join us every week as we break down all the teams in the Arkansas River Valley.

Summer heat raising havoc with outdoor activitiesWe all knew that it had to happen eventually, but most of us held out hope that this was going to be the first summer in years that the 100 degree mark was not surpassed. The truth is that it would not be an Arkansas summer without some hot and humid days to make us long for the first blast of fall, but with a July like we had this summer, many had started looking toward fall a bit early. Currently the River Valley is sizzling leading into the...

Locals find success on Super Clubs teamRussellville natives Peyton Duffield and Taylor Allen recently returned home from an 11-day tour of England, Wales and Ireland while playing for the Super Clubs National soccer team. The duo managed to make some history, as they became the first American Super Clubs National team to go undefeated in England and Wales and finished with a strong 4-2 record. The majority of the team had never met before assembling at the Atlanta, Ga., airport for...

Former Hog Joe Kleine to speak at Boys and Girls ClubFifteen-year NBA veteran and Olympic gold medalist Joe Kleine will speak at the Standing Ovations event held at the Arkansas Boys and Girls Club on Thursday in Russellville. Kleine, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, has been coaching at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock (UALR) for eight years. Kleine is a two-time All-Southwest Conference selection from the University of Arkansas and won an NBA Championship with the...

Fishing fun for the 62-plus crowdThere is a new local event that seems to this angler would be loads of fun for any man or woman who is in the 62-and-over crowd, and would like some fun friendly competition. The “Old Codgers” tournament is a bass fishing tournament for anglers who are 62-or-older, whether you have ever fished a bass tournament or not. Entry fees for each event are a modest $25 and a $5 big bass pot. Anglers may fish by themselves or can bring a partner (who a...

Manziel says he's not ready for opener ... yet BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Johnny Manziel, so full of swagger and cool, understands his limitations. He's only a rookie. And as the celebrity quarterback prepares for Cleveland's exhibition on Monday night in Washington, a game that could decide whether he or Brian Hoyer starts the season opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 7, Manziel acknowledged he's still got a lot to learn. "I don't think I'm ready for Pittsburgh right now," he said. Manziel, though, wa...

With passing trend, is Peterson last great back? MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Jim Brown spinning his way through the line and breaking loose in the secondary with a burst of speed. Walter Payton lowering a stiff arm and tearing away from the tackler with those long, almost-straight-leg strides. Barry Sanders slithering around in the backfield and finding a seam to dart through. Those are the enduring images of grit, perseverance and even elegance on which the NFL's multibillion-dollar empire was fi...

LR TD Club announces slate of fall speakers LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema will kick off this fall's series of speakers before the Little Rock Touchdown Club on Aug. 19. The group on Wednesday unveiled a list of 16 events, including visits by former Chicago Bears player Mike Singletary on Sept. 9, Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long on Sept. 15 and Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson on Oct. 27. Also on the list is the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame inductio...

RPD Boxing to host cookout fundraiserThe Russellville Police Department (RPD) Boxing Club will host a community-wide cookout at Old Post Park on Aug. 16 to help raise funds for its continued operation. The club, which offers free boxing lessons for kids ages 7 to 17, is an officially recognized nonprofit, USA Boxing organization run by Forca Martial Arts and Fitness of Russellville. Forca, which also offers kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for adults and Mixed Martial A...

Hall’s NFL career continues on as Indianapolis ColtINDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Just over 48 hours after being cut from the Minnesota Vikings, former Russellville Cyclones lineman Matt Hall was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. Hall was unfazed by the free agent shuffle and never lost his hope that he would be playing professional football somewhere before too much longer. “I’m just waiting on a call,” Hall said in an interview on Saturday, moments before he was contacted by the Colts. “I’m going to s...

Cooler weather brings about thoughts of huntingYes, it is late July, but it has been anything but typical as we have seen some of the coolest temperatures on record and a good number of folks already have hunting season on their mind. Dove season is quickly approaching. I know a few hunters who have taken advantage of the cool weather by doing a little squirrel hunting which opened on May 15 and stays open until the end of Feb. July is normally a month of tremendous heat and a few days spe...

When in doubt, just use common courtesyYou’re throwing your favorite chartreuse and white spinner bait along your favorite bank in the lake. The next section of bank is really your favorite. There are three tree-tops that you’ve caught countless bass in and just last week you had one break off with your favorite lure. You can see the tops in the distance and you’re really just killing time until you get there. A boat appears out of nowhere and pulls in a hundred yards down the bank...

Vikings cut former Cyclone HallThe Minnesota Vikings waived former Russellville Cyclones lineman Matt Hall alongside former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cooper after the first day of team camp. The pair dutifully reported for camp Thursday and walkthroughs Friday but were cut by the end of practice. “It was just a numbers thing,” Hall said. “We had an injured player and they needed to pick a few guys to fill his role, so numbers is what got me.” Hall, who also played...

A perfect week for TBF High School World FinalsJust as youngsters from all across the nation and world are starting to convene, mother nature threw a curve ball at the Arkansas River Valley that is sure to be appreciated by everyone associated with the 2014 TBF High School world Finals. Typical hot July weather was expected by all, but as the competition got underway on Wednesday the participants were greeted with fall-like weather that may or may not affect the fishing, but will definitel...

Get the lead out, pleaseI received a couple of emails the other day stating that the nation’s last primary lead smelting plant (those guys that produce lead for ammunition) was shuttered at the end of 2013. It was a back door effort by our nation’s current liberal administration for gun control, the email stated. Apparently, The Doe Run Company located in Missouri was shut down because of stringent EPA regulations that it couldn’t afford to adhere to. Since I can’t f...

Lake Dardanelle’s bestAll across the Arkansas River Valley the fishing is heating up and regardless of what type of fish you are looking for Lake Dardanelle may very well be the hottest lake in the natural state! Catfishing on Dardanelle is currently second to none, especially below the dam, as there may be no better place in the entire state to catch catfish and when you see crowds of people there, that means the bite is on. Giant spoon billed catfish are being re...

Hall suits up with Minnesota Vikings in preseasonAt 6’9 and 326 pounds of solid muscle, former Russellville Cyclone Matt Hall looks the part of an NFL lineman. Frankly, he looks like he could lift a car over his head if he felt like it. Handy if you’re going to be shoving around the best defensive linemen and linebackers the NFL has to offer. Hall was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in free agency after the 2014 draft and has survived the first round of cuts. He’s on the team — although h...

LeBron James says he's returning to Cavaliers CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James is returning home to Ohio, reversing the decision he made four years ago that led to two NBA titles in Miami and crushed Cleveland Cavalier fans. James told Sports Illustrated for a story published Friday that he was signing with the Cavaliers because his relationship with Northeast Ohio is "bigger than basketball." "When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission," James said in the SI first-person story. "I was seekin...